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Implementing Best Value.

Article Excerpt
This checklist is aimed at managers in local authorities (or in other parts of the public, not-for-profit, and private sectors who work with local authorities) who have to lead or participate in a Best Value performance review.

Best Value is a key strand in the Government's strategy for modernising the public sector, in particular local government, and bears a similar relationship to public service planning as 'zero base budgeting' bears to financial planning. The 1999 Local Government Act places a statutory duty on local authorities from April 2000 'to pursue best value for the public they serve' in place of the previous more limited, and tightly legislated compulsory competitive tendering (CCT). Best Value continues to evolve without a rigid guidance framework and therefore the experience of the pilot Best Value local authorities is important for those who follow.

Definition

Best Value is 'the continuous search by a local authority to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of all its activities for the public it serves'.

Advantages of Best Value

Best Value:

Is compatible with the European Business Excellence Model and the Charter Mark Award.

Encourages benchmarking within the public sector and with other sectors.

The views of all stakeholders have to be actively sought and taken into account.

Can liberate staff from traditional ways of thinking and doing their jobs. Brings greater flexibility for local authorities in dealing with the private sector.

Pilot best value projects have been subject to external, published, evaluation.

Disadvantages of Best...